Presentation by Dr. David RampersadDirector, Office of Research Development and Knowledge Transfer
The University of the West IndiesSt. Augustine
Caribbean Growth ForumThe University of the West Indies, Mona
18 - 19 June 2012
Tapping Human Capital and Ideas of Caribbean Tertiary Education Institutions
Role of Higher Education:Stimulus for Innovation
• Development depends on higher education, to provide a critically important bridge between R&D, knowledge transfer and application
• Higher education facilitates links with other research agencies, the commercialisation of research results, cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches
• If they are to function as agents of sustainable development, higher education institutions (HEIs) must draw on a wide base of knowledge from all disciplines
• HEIs must not only train individuals and produce research: they must establish relationships and networks to ensure that their research has an impact on the societies in which they operate
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The Status Quo
• Minimal percentage of GDP dedicated to R&D in the Caribbean
• Differences between larger and smaller countries
• Lack of an effective mechanism to channel funds
• Absence of national innovation systems
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The Status Quo (2)
• Research culture in HEIs requires stimulus• Number of postgraduate students in research degrees is
low• Inadequate R&D infrastructure including laboratories• Minimal R&D undertaken by the private and public sector• The UWI has the largest pool of researchers and expertise
in the Caribbean and leads the way in creating knowledge/wisdom that has an impact. The appropriate structures and support are required to broaden this impact.
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Innovation
• Innovation: use or development of an invention
• How do we view Innovation in institutions of higher education?
• Some disciplines produce knowledge that does not result in a tangible product but that can have considerable impact
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Impact
• Graphite Lab• Cardiac Surgical Simulator
– A computer-assisted, tissue-based simulator for use in the training of cardiac surgical residents, and nurses, in the conduct of several cardiac surgical procedures produced by a multidisciplinary team of researchers
– It can also be used to demonstrate the function of technology specific to cardiac surgical procedures in a way that was previously possible only by conducting a live procedures
– Licensed to a number of medical Universities 6
Impact (2)
• Management of viral diseases of tropical fruit crops of economic importance
• Research leading to the recovery of sea turtle populations in Barbados has evolved into their use as an ecotourism attraction of significant value to the tourism industry
• Regional Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Surveillance System for the Caribbean: development of a web-based IT platform to improve the capacity of countries to deliver cost-effective health services associated with NCDs
• Understanding Built and Cultural Heritage to design an Innovation Model for urban regeneration
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Research and Innovation
• Research leads to discoveries and must be based on a thorough, systematic approach so that the new knowledge may be created and applied to pressing needs
• Research provides sound training for young researchers and innovators
• Good research facilitates engagement in international research consortia that play a major role in creating new knowledge and attracting funding
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Pre-conditions for Transformation
• Funding
• Partnerships
• A robust system of higher education and research
• A well-designed, focussed programme of R&D
• Public policy9
Pre-conditions for Transformation (2)
• An efficient Science and Technology infrastructure
• National Innovation Systems
• Regional Innovation System
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Caribbean Research and Funding Agency (CRFA)
• Status quo: institutional funding, external funding
• CRFA: concept agreed to since 1999
• CRFA: a multinational funding agency dedicated to support research, knowledge generation and innovation in the region
• Mode of operation
• Financing of CRFA
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Caribbean Research and Funding Agency (CRFA 2)
• Programmes may include the following:
– An Industry, Business and Service Sector Programme: to encourage collaboration between university researchers, industry and the service sectors to facilitate innovation, invention, technology transfer and patents
– A Multi-disciplinary Research Programme to encourage the development of research projects for impact on economic transformation and national and regional development
– An Inter-institutional Programme to encourage collaboration between researchers from different institutions
– A Scholarship and Fellowship Programme for young researchers
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Priorities for Maximising the Research Impact of Caribbean HEIs
• Continued support for the creation of an enabling environment for research in HEIs
• Improved mechanisms in HEIs for Intellectual Property management and Technology Transfer
• Innovation Forum• Establishment of Caribbean Research and Funding
Agency• Establishment of National and Regional Innovation
Systems
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Dr. David RampersadDirector
Office of Research Development and Knowledge TransferEmail: [email protected]
Phone: 868 662 2002 Ext: 82496/82483Fax: 868 645-2506
http://www.sta.uwi.edu
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